House Bill to Protect, Strengthen U.S. Electric Grid is Important First Step

WASHINGTON, July 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Legislation passed this week by the U.S House of Representatives marks an important step in strengthening the U.S. electric grid, according to Protect Our Power, a national not-for-profit organization focused on ensuring the grid is made more robust and resilient.

"This bill represents important Congressional recognition that our electric grid is highly vulnerable to physical and cyber attacks, the consequences of which could be devastating to our economy and way of life," said Jim Cunningham, executive director of Protect Our Power.

A March 2017 poll conducted by Protect Our Power indicated that nearly 61 percent of Americans believe the electric grid is vulnerable to a physical or cyber attack.

"House passage of this bill helps set the stage for what should be the nation's No. 1 priority – comprehensive legislation that provides a clear path, and the necessary funding, to make our grid more robust and resilient across the nation," Cunningham said. "We urge the Senate to take up and pass this bill as soon as possible."